Directors of Public and Private State-of-the-Art Multimillion Dollar Recreational Facilities Lead the Way in Risk Management Practices

Abstract

The study's purpose was to identify and examine two main areas: the risk management practices and documents being used by recreation directors of state-of-the-art multimillion dollar recreational facilities and the number of lawsuits, settlements, and accidents. Due to the large amount of financial and legal risk exposure at these facilities, it is assumed that the facility directors would implement and rate as either important or very important the five elements of a bona fide risk management program: Surveys were distributed to recreational directors in senior colleges and universities throughout the US. The sample frame was listing in the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association Facilities of Distinction, Volumes, I, II, and III, and college and university facilities listed in “State of the Art Facilities” in Athletic Business ( N = 65). These institutions typically offer a wide range of recreational programs and have large recreational facilities that are either purpose-built or shared. A total of 35 recreational directors responded, a 54% return rate. The findings suggest that: (a) the importance of risk management practices has reached the university administration, (b) recreational directors are implementing risk management plans, (c) recreational directors are creating their own risk management manuals, and (d) the ACSM and the NIRSA documents are the two publications most commonly used by recreational directors to assist them in creating their risk management manuals.